There’s something so deliciously ‘naughty-but-nice’ about succumbing to an afternoon of indulgence with friends old and new in a lovely restaurant.

And on the occasion of Cheshire Life’s most recent ladies’ luncheon, The Yellow Broom, Twemlow Green, proved to be very lovely indeed.

First impressions on arrival are of an elegant facade of what could be a country residence set in its own grounds and with the pale paintwork both outside and in the restaurant itself, it is easy to see how this has become popular as a wedding venue.

Tea from The Manor

The building nestles picturesquely in the prettiest gardens. It had a former incarnation as a tea room run by two ladies in the 1950s. But the owners for the past 22 years, Russell and Nathalie Burns, are at the helm and while Russell works in the kitchen on a magnificent array of dishes, we get the warmest of welcomes from Nathalie.

Glasses of pale pink Laurent Perrier are served and international sales manager for the champagne house Stephen Brandwood is on hand to explain a little about his choice of a Cuvee Rose. It’s pink, so perfect for a ladies’ event. More than that, it enhances elements of the delicious treats to come.

Our lunch commences with a selection of canapé-versions of dishes featured on the Yellow Broom’s menu.

Crab and sesame toast, mini beef wellingtons, bites of fresh tomato and mozzarella, melting morsels of toasted brioche, Roquefort and mango chutney and in homage to the fact it was close to Burns Night (and the fact Nathalie and Russell are Burns people themselves), mini haggis with neeps and smoked salmon on mini oatcakes are beautifully arranged on platters which are proffered as we sip our bubbles.

Emily Boase with Janet Reeder, Arlene Johnston and Tracy Mackey

Janet Reeder with Tracy Mackey

Karen Perry, Karen Oldham and Jennifer Holberry

Wendy Urquhart, Nova Christy and Lyn Gascoigne

Laura Harrall, Deborah Caldwell and Sara Brogan

Christine Allen, Deborah Hitchmough and Celia Marks

Samantha and Ann Pearson

Uma Trehan and Gianna Lisiecki-Cunane

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We are then seated for the main event - sea bass which has been steamed with fragrant fresh herbs and lemon and served with Provincale ratatouille and buttered rice. This is accompanied by an excellent wine selection that includes a lively, Rothschild Sauvignon Blanc and a Rothschild Pinot Noir bursting with berry flavours.

It’s a menu that showcases the Yellow Broom’s kitchen skills and the delicious lunches that are now being worked into the restaurant’s winning repertoire of all-day dining, whether it’s a cup of coffee and a pastry in the morning or a weekend dinner of several courses with wine .

Afternoon tea is now on offer at the Yellow Broom which echoes its past as a former tea room. Last year, Nathalie and Russell launched a veranda area which has been an enormous hit with customers so it is set to continue for the summer.

Of course, it is the perfect spot for afternoon tea and to give luncheon guests an idea of the delights on offer we were treated to cake stands laden with the most scrumptious hand-made treats.

It would really have taken an iron will to resist this ‘mini afternoon tea’, with light as air meringues stuffed with clotted cream, melting sponges, buttery pastries, and éclairs filled with crème patisserie. Helping us observe the tea ritual was another rare male at the event. James Green brought along a magnificent selection of brews from his splendid Holmes Chapel-based Tea from the Manor company.

James was a military man who became inspired by the world of tea. His blends were so impressive that he was approached by the manager of the Chester Grosvenor and now Tea From the Manor is the five star hotel’s preferred brew.

With such a convivial atmosphere and wonderful food, it was hard to drag ourselves away from the Yellow Broom (the name derives from the Scottish gorse bush Yellow Broom in Twemlow and its magnificent shower of yellow flowers). Spring is in the air and judging from the reaction to the menu at our lunch, this looks like just the place to enjoy the seasons to come.

To start

Canapés chosen from the new lunch time menu at the Yellow Broom - crab and sesame toast, mini beef wellingtons, fresh tomato and mozzarella, toasted brioche, Roquefort and mango chutney, mini haggis with neeps and smoked salmon on mini oatcakes